City gets funding for energy-efficient streetlight project

CARLSBAD 
Carlsbad has received nearly $1 million from the U.S. Department of Energy to install energy-efficient streetlights throughout the city, officials said.

The project consists of replacing more than 7,000 high-pressure-sodium streetlights with fluorescent induction lights.

The $939,000 grant will cover about one-third of the estimated project cost of $3 million. The rest will be covered by a grant from San Diego Gas & Electric and a low-interest loan from the California Energy Commission, city officials said.

The city estimates that the change to induction lights will save nearly $400,000 a year.

The city pays about $600,000 a year in energy and maintenance costs for streetlights. It expects to reduce its energy bill by $290,000 and to cut maintenance costs by $100,000 because the new lights have longer warranties.